“It’s a humbling experience, especially just knowing that [Bruno Mars] was not selected,” he said. “Just being considered was a humbling experience.”

More than 500 individuals and organizations worldwide were nominated for the prestigious biennial award. Recently, 26 individuals and seven organizations were recognized for their contributions to the development of the Philippines and to the welfare of Filipinos everywhere.

Since then, Dela Cruz, a nine-year SCE employee who specializes in dam safety in the utility’s Hydro Division, has made regular trips to the Philippines to help better prepare the country for future floods.

In December, Dela Cruz returned to his native land to accept the award from the president of the Philippines.

“It was a great experience,” said Dela Cruz, who attended the event with his parents. “My parents were ecstatic, so proud. They never imagined that this would happen.”

Joining the SCE engineer in the honor were 12 other Americans and awardees from France, South Korea, Australia and India. Among them were Cristeta Comerford, the first Asian and woman executive chef of the White House, serving Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and Robert Lopez, a Grammy-winning composer of the hits songs from Walt Disney’s “Frozen.”

Dela Cruz’s work in the Philippines has had a lasting impact in the country. Legislation that he helped spearhead calling for a national dam safety program is now with the House of Congress.

“Roderick’s award is an important opportunity to highlight not only the progressive work of the Dam and Public Safety group, but the company as a whole as how we can make a difference through the knowledge and experience used here at SCE,” said Michael Cruz, Roderick’s manager at the utility.

Dela Cruz, a civil engineer, credits the utility for steering him toward the dam safety arena and providing him with the experience and knowledge to be able to help his home country. Currently, there are 81 dams as part of SCE’s hydroelectric systems.

“The award is representative of what we believe in as a company,” he said. “Its values, not only to strive for excellence as a company, but to also provide support to those beyond our own customers.”